Six Amazing Reasons Why You Should Visit Umm Al Quwain
Blog written on 31-10-2022
The city of Umm Al Quwain, the second smallest and least populated emirate, may surprise you. Not only home to an incredible range of natural beauty, Umm Al Quwain has a wealth of historical sites and tourist attractions to visit. Here are some reasons why you should visit Umm Al Quwain:
UAQ Mangrove Tours
Umm Al Quwain is a coastal city, which means that it has a lot of beaches for you to visit. However, Umm Al Quwain is known for its mangrove beaches that you must see for yourself! You can tour the mangrove beaches–and even rent a kayak for a closer look! If you want to try kayaking, check out our guide to kayaking for beginners as well.

These Mangrove forests aren’t just for Instagram stories backdrops. They also serve as a habitat for all kinds of water birds, such as herons, cormorants, and even flamingos! This makes them a great place to do some bird watching. Aside from that, these mangroves also serve to protect Umm Al Quwain from storm surges and other harsh weather conditions.
Umm Al Quwain National Museum and Fort
The Umm Al Quwain Fort is an important piece of history for the city. The fort was built in the year 1768 by the founder of the Al Mualla dynasty, Sheikh Rashid Bin Majid Al Mualla. After its restoration in 2000, the fort became a museum, containing relics and pictures of years past. If you’re a history buff or are looking for a reason to visit Umm Al Quwain, stop by this museum!

Umm Al Quwain Open Beach
An issue that some people may have with modern beaches is that they’re too crowded or commercialized. Thankfully, you won’t have that problem with Umm Al Quwain’s Open Beach! Since the emirate is the least populated of all the emirates, there won’t be many other people to disturb the peaceful, serene atmosphere at the beach.

Don’t be fooled by the peaceful setting–the open beach is a great place to enjoy watersports, like kayaking or surfing. Just grab some sunblock (and some friends if you can) and have some fun!
Pro tip: visit the beach around sunset and be blessed with a breathtaking view. Make sure to grab a photo while you’re at it! If you want some tips on how to take the best travel photos, check out our guide on telling a story with your snapshots.
Dreamland Aqua Park
Need a place to cool off? Umm Al Quwain has its very own waterpark in Dreamland Aqua Park! In fact, it’s one of the largest family entertainment parks in the entire Middle East! Put on your bathing suit and a towel then head over for some water park fun!

Like many things, a water park is much more enjoyable when visiting with a group. You’ll be sure to make some lifelong memories by visiting with loved ones, or even some travel buddies you just met! Check out our blog post if you want to know why you should consider group travel.
Umm Al Quwain Center of Antiquities
The Umm Al Quwain Center of Antiquities is a small museum located within the city. While not the biggest museum in the emirates, the Center of Antiquities has a diverse collection of artifacts and historical pieces–with some dating as far back as 5,500 BC. The best part? Entrance to the museum is completely free, so be sure to stop by if you’re in the area.

Falaj Al Mualla Fort
You can find the Falaj Al Mualla Fort in the town of the same now. Built during the 19th century, the fort was built by Sheikh Abdullah I bin Rashid Al Mu’alla to protect the oasis within. After its restoration in the year 2009, the fort now openly welcomes visitors as a museum! Inside the fort, visitors can admire the architecture as well as the many artifacts and historical pieces that can be found inside. Visitors have to pay just 5 AED to enter, which goes to the preservation of the museum.

Though it’s far from the biggest or busiest emirate in the UAE, Umm Al Quwain is a great place to visit if you want a quiet getaway from the busy streets of Dubai or the heat of the deserts. The many attractions you can find in Umm Al Quwain are sure to be worth your time–just like our experiences! Check out the adventures we have in store and book a trip with us! Once you’re done, be sure to follow our blog and Instagram for more updates.

I’m a travel curator who has visited over 30 countries and is currently based in Dubai. For more of Tingu Travel’s experiences, you can follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok @tingutravel